Statistics about the outcomes of police investigations describe the status of the processes of police investigations that are initiated following the reporting or detection of an offence. At any point in time, the status of investigations can include:

not finalised (i.e. were still continuing, were pending or were suspended)

finalised without an offender being proceeded against because the reported offence was not verified, the complaint was withdrawn, or the alleged offender could not be proceeded against because of some statutory or procedural bar

finalised and an offender was proceeded against by initiating court action or some other form of formal proceeding (e.g. a diversionary conference or a formal caution).

In 2003 a higher proportion of offences against the person (murder, attempted murder, assault, sexual assault, kidnapping/abduction and robbery) reached a finalised status within 30 days of initiation of the investigation than was the case for offences against property (UEWI and motor vehicle theft offences). Similarly, the proportion of offenders proceeded against was higher for offences against the person than for property offences (table 11.16). Over half of all finalised sexual assault investigations resulted in no offender being proceeded against.

11.16 VICTIMS OF RECORDED CRIME(a), By outcomeof investigations at 30 days-2003

Murder

Attempted murder

Assault

Sexual assault

Kidnapping/abduction

Robbery(b)

UEWI(c)

Motor vehicle theft

Investigation status

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

Investigation not finalised

36.4

32.1

40.9

62.0

62.3

79.2

92.1

88.8

Investigation finalised

No offender proceeded against

8.3

5.7

13.2

20.1

15.6

5.5

1.7

3.3

Offender proceeded against

55.3

62.2

45.9

17.7

22.1

15.3

6.2

7.9

Total

63.6

67.9

59.0

37.8

37.7

20.7

7.9

11.2

Total

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

(a) For selected offences recorded by police during 1 January-31 December 2003.(b) Robbery includes both armed and unarmed robbery.(c) Unlawful entry with intent.

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